The spirit of 'Thy kingdom come'

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Mary Baker Eddy, the founder of this magazine, made this inspiring observation about Jesus: “He lived the spirit of his prayer,—‘Thy kingdom come’ ” (Miscellaneous Writings 1883–1896,p. 211). Yes, Jesus’ outlook and attitude were blended with gratitude for what has already come—for the permanent presence of God and God’s wondrous creation. This kingdom of heaven is defined in Eddy’s Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, as: “The reign of harmony in divine Science; the realm of unerring, eternal, and omnipotent Mind; the atmosphere of Spirit, where Soul is supreme” (p. 590).

Jesus knew that he didn’t have to move toward the kingdom of heaven. The same goes for us. The kingdom of heaven is here, and, gratefully, we’re included in it. We can accept and embrace its presence. How good to know that in all circumstances, we can recognize that we are actually residing at home in God’s kingdom, not struggling to get there. Like Jesus, we can live the spirit of this fact, with every tick of the clock!

Better yet, not only is the kingdom of heaven around you; it’s within you. French biophysicist, Pierre André LeComte du Noüy, said, “We must remember that the light is within us and that any attempt to find it outside is vain.” To live the spirit of “Thy kingdom come” is to acknowledge that your full potential has its source in the kingdom within and blossoms forth constantly.

We are actually residing at home in God's kingdom.

A tiny rosebud has within itself all the petals needed to bloom into a beautiful, fragrant flower. Likewise, since the kingdom of heaven is within you, everything necessary is already completely present in order for you to blossom. There is ability, wholeness, stamina, and goodness within. Abundance, direction, and intelligence are right here; these divine qualities reside within—not “out there” somewhere. To accept this eagerly and with an open heart brings out wonders in a diversity of ways.

To live the spirit of “Thy kingdom come” naturally results in peace and security. No wonder Jesus told us to “repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matthew 4:17). To repent is to have a change of thought. It makes sense, then, to permit the direction of our thought to shift, allowing focus on “the reign of harmony in divine Science.”

Jesus’ prayer, from the much-loved Lord’s Prayer, “Thy kingdom come” (Matt. 6:10), means that wholeness has come. Wisdom has come. Comfort has come. Justice has come. We can pray by beholding what is already come and is present. Following Jesus’ example, we blend our outlook and attitude with gratitude for what is here and now—for the presence of God and God’s beautiful creation.

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